Welcome to the Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES
Established July 29, 1948

Prevocational Alternative Student System

Prevocational Alternative Student System is a program for at-risk students, primarily 14-16 years old, in grades nine and ten, who have a high potential for dropping out of school.  The program is offered at the Adirondack Educational Center in Saranac Lake, New York.  Students are identified by their home school district and are those who demonstrate poor attendance, lack of motivation, poor academic achievement and/or poor interpersonal skills.  Emphasis is on English and Social Studies academic requirements while exposing students to a Career and Technical Education through courses such as Career and Financial Management and Home Economics Cores.

Sophomores attend the morning session with Freshmen attending the afternoon session during the regular school year.  Students earn credits toward their high school diploma in Art, Health, Global Studies 1 and 2, English 9 and 10, Food & Nutrition, Human Development, and Introduction to Occupations.

The program objectives are to develop self-esteem, improve academic skills, develop a commitment to completing high school, and prepare for a smooth transfer into a Career & Technical Education program.  A counseling component provides, as needed, individual and weekly group sessions concentrating upon social, behavioral and prevocational skills.